[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6570129,"mediaKeyId","3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98","parentId",3310807,"title","Cultural affairs requests focus on Mauna ʻAla stewardship, repatriation, language resources and a proposed OHA seal/flag","audioSeconds",2159,"startMs",8902000,"endMs",11061000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98&start=8902&end=11061","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98/thumbnail_8902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570129/Hawaii/Cultural-affairs-requests-focus-on-Mauna-ʻAla-stewardship-repatriation-language-resources-and-a-proposed-OHA-sealflag","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570129-6caa355c1feae178167c45f7c4ddc300/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058703&Signature=K7FXh8HgGd2cgh--Ioob3OGq5PyiN0wqjjzAumPth1e3CW0MqMIGm-zMzvAlLCXZgJx8GC5a5erbLhGyCtpm5F48qxJqr7lx1~yiA0Jzg2EmPMbpoeBrWlho1mPRhEgw7tudlezer3lfZkheC5JQxmoi26Klmjq4hmUHKB-S2lh-pyO1cp7c3m0-QoqFeeP7IQZNV3yM8w3ru8Tv4tuYCJXx2C4QCH1ysUz0MrVF-vP1GSwvEjzdc3x7OKaMN5s5L-cSw7WxnPtXqbTGn~NGOWUQ4Spi-MD1wslCXCSko7yfefI5KTH41sezRSgevgoFTdOrQUROpM1tUvz73skksQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii - Task Force Created by Act 170","date","2025-05-14T22:00:24Z","article","The Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ cultural affairs presenter described a portfolio of proposals aimed at strengthening language programs, cultural competency across the agency, stewardship and repatriation efforts and international indigenous partnerships.

Core aims and spending priorities: The cultural office said priorities for the biennium include expanded Hawaiian language and cultural programming for youth and families, development of cultural leadership and mentorship, stewardship planning for Mauna ʻAla and other sites, and expanded repatriation efforts for kupuna and artifacts. The presenter argued culture should “drive OHA strategies” and not be an add‑on to program design.

Contracts for cultural surveys: Staff described contracts to perform detailed cultural surveys and historical research tied to specific sites. As an example, the presenter said an in‑depth, unabridged cultural survey (including archival and Hawaiian‑language newspaper research, cataloging mele and contextual materials) had previously been completed for a comparable project by a contracted team and that similar work for Mauna ʻAla or Kukaniloko would cost in the tens of thousands of dollars per site. The cultural presenter framed a roughly $45,000 annual contract line as the kind of investment needed to assemble primary cultural documentation for stewardship or potential transfers.

Language, archives and audiobooks: The cultural office described plans to expand digital resources—Papa Kilo training modules and audio renditions of Hawaiian‑language texts and out‑of‑print materials—for schools and community use. The presenter said audiobooks and accessible archives would help spread kupuna histories and Hawaiian‑language works to a broader audience.

Ceremonial identity and regalia: The presenter supported Ferra’s CEO office request for an official OHA seal and ceremonial pins/flags to present to dignitaries; the cultural office said a properly designed seal and limited ceremonial regalia are appropriate for government‑to‑government and high‑level cultural exchanges.

Staffing and implementation: The cultural office is seeking a director of Hawaiian ethos and an additional project manager to execute stewardship and repatriation work. The presenter described use of external contractors for deep archival work while building internal capacity.

Ending: The cultural office asked trustees to treat the requests as investments in cultural infrastructure—documentation, capacity and partnership—rather than discretionary event spending; staff offered to provide more detailed scopes and cost breakdowns for site‑by‑site work if trustees direct follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/14/2025 OHA Budget and Finance (BF) Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","OHA cultural affairs staff asked trustees to fund site surveys and archival research (example: Mauna ʻAla), expand language and audiovisual resources, and support stewardship and repatriation work, while proposing a small staff expansion to implement the work.","taxTitle","Task Force Created by Act 170, Executive , Hawaii","taxId",26072,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6570132,"OHA endowment director requests second staffer, consultants and systems to build internal investment office",609,7751000,8360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98&start=7751&end=8360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98/thumbnail_7751000.jpg","/articles/6570132/Hawaii/OHA-endowment-director-requests-second-staffer-consultants-and-systems-to-build-internal-investment-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570132-c34991d51357a714a1c8e988e852e9ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058703&Signature=lgC0JDT-PPc2kH6sBmLwPu-OL-Tobjr8vpx3BRyWOzw7KN96uuwVA7kRZadfq6BlsmFYeDpsIfcsnji26rS4IIW5rQTDCcppEiSOEtsWB3ytzCegC3QCmkMMkLUnEhenXCLWo81B3hrmANwWk4wS6kUOUa0vBL5mudeKt14I--HygkLAiqMWWnjNRhSqifVn4YCi0iQlEzuFxP06a4RziSFq48bKPd~kYTAfMHYcMGjCaziJAq4n8BpSLFPBhH4vqxx-JxnzkN~BBAgwFqqAqDFLfHMsp8dZ7w3Y5FUJZW-zwdUnYNTwV1O6QPVdVoXY8aP9N2micuFX0ecHCZl3ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Lee, OHA’s endowment director, told trustees he is proposing to expand internal investment capacity with one investment analyst position, targeted advisory contracts, and analytics systems to support asset allocation and execution of private market commitments.

Why it matters: Lee said moving from a manager‑of‑managers structure to a trustee‑directed model with internal capacity can reduce fees and better align investment decisions with OHA’s long‑term goals for the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund. He showed a market‑based benchmarking chart that compares oversight costs (basis points) to asset pool size and said a modest internal office plus external advisors can sit at the low end of reasonable costs for an organization OHA’s size.

Request details: Lee presented a Native Hawaiian Trust Fund expense request of roughly $974,000 for FY26 and $1,020,000 for FY27 (biennium total ≈ $1.99 million); the items are to be paid from the trust as investment expense, not from the agency core operating budget. Major categories are personnel and contracts with the contracts line intended to cover general investment consulting, private markets advisory and a manager‑research database.

Timeline and capacity: Lee said the single added investment analyst will allow the endowment team to accelerate asset‑allocation work, private market commitments and manager sourcing while leveraging external advisors as an extension of staff. He told trustees the added internal capacity makes it reasonable to expect the manager‑of‑managers transition to proceed within the biennium.

Trustee questions: Trustees asked about staffing pace and travel. Lee said the proposed analyst position will be posted once the board authorizes funding and noted travel plans include a small number of sourcing and monitoring trips plus one conference annually.

Ending: Lee asked trustees to consider the request as an investment in long‑term returns and lower aggregate management fees; staff committed to provide contract details and a budget breakdown for trustee review.","Endowment director Ryan Lee proposed adding an investment analyst and engaging external consultants to transition OHA’s Native Hawaiian Trust Fund toward a trustee‑directed advisory structure. The two‑year native trust budget request is about $1.9 million and, if approved, will be charged to the trust as investment expense.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6570138,"Human resources requests: OHA seeks recruiter, NeoGov hiring system and performance platform to reduce 37 vacancies",778,5221000,5999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98&start=5221&end=5999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98/thumbnail_5221000.jpg","/articles/6570138/Hawaii/Human-resources-requests-OHA-seeks-recruiter-NeoGov-hiring-system-and-performance-platform-to-reduce-37-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570138-ae8ed13d2f936088bc646bcf0de223e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058704&Signature=eEaIyA-y7S~UwnJTv-j3tztr1cZ~SOsRI77u~5GoDL~wKczIwrjgizsj1RwyhwcSagv5inrfROOqD6kJSRPIZQyXtlIJkY9fZmuvHeEp05VK5nhvwCcpPmTsdV-aTx71fOoB5c-wbr1MVt3jIqfnsmxNe~gKvzTfLScYURj9dohCaJDqr6SZjZuueT205RFua6X8DPaTBXvKwRBUAnYu4wwGvsE7Ul5Oj8xvuQ13~97i4NzX7tSdKFsxWDljbSJHm6dt4HCeNlOu1pTsD5pMIq74hfhSWRjbbsCB-ApF3KLckE69QhGeOI4pT~-jnCo9qxJtO4gfl3XZYM-RxffZ~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corey Nakamoto, OHA’s director of human resources, told trustees the HR office is asking for tools and one new position to address a persistent vacancy count and improve recruitment and retention.

Nakamoto said the agency currently shows 37 vacancies (not counting seven newly requested positions) and recommended three priorities for the biennium: a recruiter position, a NeoGov talent acquisition system, and implementation of a performance management platform called Quantum. “We are requesting a HR recruiter,” Nakamoto said, adding that NeoGov includes AI screening tools and will allow OHA to host its own branded recruitment portal rather than relying on statewide pages or private job boards.

Why it matters: Human resources is the largest operating cost driver; improving applicant reach and screening and implementing a consistent performance platform would help OHA manage merit‑based pay and training tied to performance goals.

Budget and line items: Nakamoto proposed a roughly $2.0 million biennial HR budget, with personnel costs approximately $1.78 million. Subscriptions for the talent acquisition and performance platforms were presented as the majority of a $70,000 equipment/contracts line (the two platforms together cost about $30,000 per year). Nakamoto also requested funding for staff professional development, SHRM/HEC memberships, and modest AI tool subscriptions for HR use.

Trustee questions and staff answers: Trustees asked whether items could be trimmed if compensation increases recommended by the ad hoc salary group are adopted. Nakamoto said the AI subscription (a small amount) and some travel could be deferred, but he asked trustees to preserve professional development funding for HR staff: “I would advocate that the professional development not be removed…that’s critical for us to stay on top of changes in employment law,” he said.

Implementation timeline: Nakamoto said the agency has partially configured NeoGov and expects a live, fully functional application portal during the new fiscal year, with full rollout through the first quarter. He said NeoGov would provide consistent screening, improved branding and access to applicants seeking government‑style jobs.

Ending: Nakamoto said HR will follow up with additional cost and schedule detail; trustees asked staff to identify what line items could be deferred if overall personnel costs rise after the ad hoc compensation review.","HR director Corey Nakamoto outlined staffing and system requests to reduce OHA’s 37 vacancies, including a recruiter position, NeoGov applicant tracking, and a performance management platform. Nakamoto asked trustees to protect staff professional development funding even if overall cuts are needed.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6570143,"OHA leaders present biennium budget showing operating surplus; CEO seeks $2.28 million for office and $500,000-per-year set‑aside for land inventory",2100,92000,2192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98&start=92&end=2192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6570143/Hawaii/OHA-leaders-present-biennium-budget-showing-operating-surplus-CEO-seeks-228-million-for-office-and-500000-per-year-setaside-for-land-inventory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570143-bc141a2f8f9577f84b22e3544344487e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058704&Signature=hQ~0WeU6w~GmEM6wl5utDf40jIFIxslyxvlKiNEROB3IiSsMQ~bsKlWbGC1GfKVRaCigFH0hYA98CdYS-FTHwLqFT7PtgKPS6u4qJxaVsurWpaL6nEVym30xbvQpKYT2e8hKY-SQWiGLXSJWXXq41dVLUC8vpscWY0Che~Z8bYm2H7zQpDSIhM26wJvRmBzSna72XE4o2NFemxA1d~c1wY0CYsrZpeYkFwc-FvpVabIgAJZ1gfoOo0csnMjlOR6sPc0NhepsUjAyATz6NQIySnEBInUs79GOSuEvPNaYzutdjRXOhNtbTJQ8HLoUK2ofq2oVMJAYDTuou6SnQ4Frpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Stacy Ferra told the board of trustees during a May budget briefing that OHA is preparing a biennium budget built from a $49,000,436 spending limit for one funding column and a $68,144,328 spending limit in another, with current budget requests running below those limits.

Ferra said the administration’s FY26 request in one view totals $46,850,825, producing a current surplus of $2,585,827 for that column; in a broader column the spending limit is $68,144,328 and the request is $61,703,252, a surplus of $6,441,076. “This budget that you have before you really is an articulation of how that gets done,” Ferra said as she opened the multi‑day briefing series.

Why it matters: Ferra framed the briefing as an opportunity for trustees to see detailed program asks so the board can align priorities to the agency’s statutory mandate and strategic plan. She emphasized a “bare‑minimum” approach to requests and said the surplus gives trustees room to add priorities before the biennium is finalized.

What Ferra proposed: Ferra presented a two‑year CEO office request of $2,275,516 ($1,146,262 for FY26 and $1,129,254 for FY27). The largest CEO office line is personnel; other prominent categories are travel, contracts and a proposed carve‑out for a land‑inventory/audit. Ferra said she has budgeted funds for an independent audit of “Hawaiian kingdom crown/government lands” and for international travel that would be vetted through new travel protocols. She told trustees the inventory/audit line was included to avoid having to carve funding retroactively from other accounts if the board decides to pursue the work.

Trustee questions and clarifications: Trustee Galutario asked about the inventory line. Trustees and staff clarified the proposal is $500,000 per fiscal year ($500,000 in FY26 and $500,000 in FY27) and that, if the board delays action, the FY26 allocation could be carried forward into FY27. Ferra said the board had earlier sought a legislative match for the inventory but the bill did not clear conference; she described the $500,000 annual amounts in her office budget as a placeholder so funds are available should trustees direct the work. The timeline for the inventory was described as a two‑year effort.

AI, travel and contracting: Ferra confirmed staff had been evaluating AI tools and that the agency is coordinating with the state CIO and corporate counsel on legal and policy guardrails. Everett Ota, corporate counsel, was referenced as leading legal assessment of AI use. Ferra said ChatGPT–style tools are being used by staff and the administration is proposing modest subscriptions for writing and graphic tools; she said those subscriptions are meant to supplement—not replace—state systems such as Microsoft Copilot while legal reviews continue. On international travel, Ferra said she intentionally placed large international travel requests in her office budget so the board and chair would have “extra eyes” on who would travel and why.

Cultural items and ceremonial spending: Ferra told trustees she has requested modest funding for an official OHA seal, pins and flags for dignitary presentations and to reflect the agency’s government status. She described one small line—$2,500 per fiscal year—for ceremonial items and said the item is a placeholder that could be reduced or reallocated pending an ELT office relocation.

What’s next: Ferra and staff asked trustees to use the next briefing days to review department‑level asks. Staff committed to responding to unanswered questions by email or at the next available meeting.

Ending: Trustees did not decide policy on the inventory or major international trips at the session; Ferra said detailed scopes and MOAs would be prepared if the board asks staff to proceed.","Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Stacy Ferra told trustees the agency is projecting a biennial operating surplus and presented a $2.28 million two‑year request for the CEO office that includes a $500,000 per year carve‑out for a planned lands inventory/audit. Trustees pressed staff on details for the inventory, international travel and AI use. ",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6570124,"Trustees complete budget briefing; roll‑call adjournment, next session set for 9 a.m. the following day",69,11002000,11071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98&start=11002&end=11071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310807-af86077aa5d3d777746076c8e0a61e98/thumbnail_11002000.jpg","/articles/6570124/Hawaii/Trustees-complete-budget-briefing-rollcall-adjournment-next-session-set-for-9-am-the-following-day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570124-122db2a3757d99dbda04941cac0653fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058704&Signature=hlS01AbzzyyE~XicFgL8QW~Jl6dL5inxivSQ8OpH~bz437smP--W7eJo92Yp2WGo3bjRgTul8KNymVXP57CGMyHarvmhpMQr0tbKegGPMspn---aHnI97xpb9ld3yPXIMohhc7sHHYH1qk2RpW9TXgrqFIAeiZY2D-mCcW~A2~95HYhTJbgFS3m0q1MOyGvXx53hpjuiJ2gra-kdOuZMOIDQdHg8YRAJpGLk~eXgsjrm0-ULLSEytA51tXrPXEB1nk27N0ydbJdX2se1F0nC8TP7cm001KqTtY5wPkfKNLSQiu244o8kvsedxEmcrO7waxrhjhLu7dsqSf1AzFXZ3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After multi‑hour budget briefings from the CEO, HR, endowment and cultural affairs, trustees moved to adjourn. The meeting closed following a roll‑call vote; recorded ayes included Trustee Ahuna, Trustee Akaka, Trustee Galutario, Trustee Lindsey and Trustee Souza. The motion to adjourn was seconded and carried.

Trustees scheduled the next day’s continuation of the budget briefings to begin at 9 a.m. Staff were asked to return with follow‑up materials and cost breakdowns on several items including: scopes and MOAs for any proposed lands inventory or stewardship work, contract details for the endowment advisory plan, NeoGov and Quantum pricing/implementation timelines, and more‑detailed costings for cultural surveys and archival work.

Ending: With the adjournment vote passed, trustees will reconvene at 9 a.m. the following morning to continue departmental budget reviews.","After several department budget presentations, the board took a procedural vote to adjourn. Trustees set the next briefing session to begin at 9 a.m. the following morning and staff will return with follow‑up information requested during presentations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cultural affairs requests focus on Mauna ʻAla stewardship, repatriation, language resources and a proposed OHA seal/flag

OHA endowment director requests second staffer, consultants and systems to build internal investment office

Human resources requests: OHA seeks recruiter, NeoGov hiring system and performance platform to reduce 37 vacancies

OHA leaders present biennium budget showing operating surplus; CEO seeks $2.28 million for office and $500,000-per-year set‑aside for land inventory

Trustees complete budget briefing; roll‑call adjournment, next session set for 9 a.m. the following day